I'm glad to say that the majority of singarounds I go to do not feature crib sheets in any great density. In fact there seem to be more at the folk clubs that I occasionally visit. One of the biggest factors in the spread of these is, I think, the critical mass concept. At some of the singers' clubs it's become the accepted practice. At the singarounds, which I prefer, those few who do refer to the words nearly always apologise for doing so. My guess is that newcomers see this and realise that it's only acceptable in extenuating circumstances and excuses like "I haven't learned this one properly yet" are not extenuating enough.

I've been going to clubs and singarounds a long time now. I see myself as a singer, not a performer, nor an entertainer (and I avoid doing gigs for that reason) but I still think if I'm going to stand up (or remain seated) in public and sing a song then it would be an insult to those present if I didn't take the trouble to learn it first. If I wanted to sing a song I didn't know, I'd do it in private and if I just wanted the applause (what applause?) without the work I'd hire a claque. (Not The Claque as they'd probably charge too much!)

This is just my opinion of course and therefore, while right for me, I'm not saying anyone else must subscribe to it; I'm not trying to force others into my way of thinking. My solution; I avoid open mike evenings which seem to be more about the performer than the songs and I avoid places with too much paper. If I don't like the way a place operates I don't go there, if I like it I go.